U.S. Senate guts latest attempt to legalize bulk drug imports from Canada

From the Canadian Press:
The U.S. Senate gutted the latest attempt Monday to legalize prescription drug imports from Canada and other countries.

Despite a lot of support for the plan from both Democrats and Republicans, senators ultimately decided to require that the Food and Drug Administration first certify the imports are safe and effective.

Federal officials have said for years they can’t do it. So the requirement, passed on a 49-40 vote, effectively quashed the imports effort.

Even if the bid for expanding the drug trade had made it through without any caveats, the administration said it would have recommended a veto from President George W. Bush. ...more